Warren County EMS is rushing to obtain a grant that could net the department up to $315,000.
The Community Development Block Grant is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
According to EMS director Preston Denney, the funds could be used to purchase ambulances or equipment.
“They are really encouraging us to put in for the grant,” said Denney. “The deadline is January, I believe, or February. They’ve already held a public hearing on it. We just have to give them a go ahead.”
County Safety Committee members were presented with the information Monday.
To be able to apply for the grant, department employees must go door to door and collect survey information from residents. The state requires the information to determine the department’s eligibility. At this time, the exact number of surveys the department will need is unknown.
Denney expressed concern for the manpower required to conduct the surveys.
“The surveys are time consuming. They have to be in by January. The grant money is good though. The max is $315,000. She estimated our portion of that would be around $40,000. She based that on what grants Warren County has gotten in the past.  If we get anything, it won’t be before September or October of next year.”
Denney wants to use the funds to purchase a new ambulance and a remount.
Community Develop-ment Block Grant funds are available to communities across the state that do not get funding directly from HUD. The funds are awarded based on applications submitted each year in February and are typically awarded in the fall.
Committee members unanimously approved applying for the grant.